There are actually many uses of dolomite in the garden. Dolomite is a naturally occurring mineral containing magnesium and calcium. It naturally can be found in white, pink or tan colors and often as a crystal structure. It may also be found in limestone, marble, and other types geological structures.   Ground down as a powder, it has several uses for plants.  Although it is not good for every time of plant, so you do need to know the needs of your particular plants before using it.

Types of Dolomite

Dolomite is sold in various grades, which is labeled on the bag as fine or granules for gardening. This refers to the particle size of the material with fine being the smallest particle size. You may also find it in garden stores labeled as dolomite lime or garden dolomite lime if it was mined from limestone. Check the contents and mineral break down on the bag. If made from or mixed with lime, the ratio of calcium to magnesium will be different than with a straight dolomite product.

Nutrients

Fix Molybdenum Deficiency

Beans, peas, and other legumes need molybdenum, a trace element, to thrive. However if the soil is too acidic, the plants are unable to take up this essential nutrient and will not grow or will have yellow and brown leaves. Gardeners will sometimes use dolomite reduce the acidity for these plants to improve the molybdenum uptake.

Adjusting Soil pH

Soil Neutralizer

Some use dolomite regularly when fertilizing to balance the pH. Fertilizer tends to be acidic and dolomite will counteract this. It may also be applied regularly if the water source is acidic.

Using Dolomite Lime with Plants

You shouldn’t use dolomite unless you know your soil needs it. First do a soil test to check the pH. If the pH is too acidic for the plants you want to grow, then add dolomite. Follow the instruction for use provided on the bag.